New Safety Rules To Combat Driver Fatigue

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. has the resources to help victims of truck accidents in Missouri and Illinois.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set new regulations in 2011 that responded to the widespread problem of truck driver fatigue. Trucking companies had 18 months to put these into practice and on July 1 of this year, the regulations finally went into full effect. Ray LaHood, U.S Transportation Secretary said “safety is our highest priority. These rules make common sense, data-driven changes to reduce truck driver fatigue and improve safety for every traveler on our highways and roads.”

The new regulations limit a truck driver’s work week to 70 hours. The FMCSA were careful to note that only trucking companies that were already setting schedules that were seriously pushing the limits of what a truck driver can safely do, would have any difficulty implementing these rules. The other 85 percent of the trucking industry is already compliant and would not be affected by these changes.

Chronic fatigue caused by working long hours greatly increases the risk of accidents that compromise the safety of all drivers sharing the roads with these trucks. It also poses health risks for the truck drivers themselves, making them more likely to develop chronic health conditions. One estimation posits that the changes could prevent 1,400 crashes, 560 injuries, and save 19 lives each year.

Anne S. Ferro, FMCSA administrator, has said that in addition to the most important goal of saving lives, the changes, which are based on years of careful research, will also result in monetary savings of approximately $280 million from the prevention of large truck crashes. Improved health of truck drivers could save around $470 million.

The New Regulations

Before the new rules went into effect, the maximum amount of weekly work hours was 82. As previously mentioned, this limit has gone down to 70.

It also requires that drivers take a 30 minute break in the first 8 hours of a shift.

It reiterates the current 14 hour work day and 11 hour driving limit.

The last change stipulates that if a driver reaches the 70 hour maximum inside of a week, they can resume driving if they first rest for 34 consecutive hours. At least 2 nights of sleep must be when sleep is most demanded by the body’s internal clock, which is during the hours between 1-5 a.m.

Because these particular issues have been known to frequently contribute to semi-truck accidents, which can cause many fatalities, the government has stepped in to universalize these rules that could save many innocent lives, and save money in the process.

Only trucking companies that were already breaking the rules and are requiring drivers to keep extreme schedules will be impacted by the changes. A trucking company, however, with egregious violations of these safety requirements could face maximum fines for each separate violation.

St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured in an accident with a semi-truck, waste no time finding an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney who understands current regulations and who is also aware of the tactics that truck companies use to minimize the part they played in causing the accident. If you are injured in a crash involving a semi truck, you may be entitled to compensation, and your attorney can help to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve.